Knut calls for more special needs tutors to help the deaf
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kirinyaga Branch, has urged the government to employ more special need specialists.
It singled out lack of adequate personnel, especially sign language interpreters, which is isolating the deaf from articulating their agenda.
Led by the county’s Knut chairperson, Alex Ngondi, and executive secretary Patrick Kanaiyu, they said people living with disabilities, like the deaf, are part of society and must be incorporated in all ongoing activities.
The duo was speaking in Kutus Town, while preparing for the post-World Teachers Day celebrations to be held later in the county.
Seek understanding
“The deaf are people like us. They need to communicate, either to pass information or seek an understanding of various subjects,” said Kanaiyu.
He added: “We don’t have enough personnel or teachers equipped with sign language skills. We urge the government to open training for all stakeholders, including the media, so that the deaf can get forums and ways of communicating with others”.
He singled out public gatherings where the deaf are left to communicate among themselves for lack of assistance to help them be part of the agenda being discussed.
The executive officer also noted that with the new curriculum-based syllabus (CBC) system, they are working with the county government to streamline education matters, especially in early child development, as there was a general misunderstanding on where the new curriculum starts.
The county Knut chairperson said the task force created by President William Ruto would solve all the complaints raised by teachers and parents.
“These people have been left to communicate among themselves, in public gatherings there are no interpreters and the deaf remain seated in special positions chatting on their owns issues because they normally don’t understand what is going on,” he said
“Providing interpreters in all public gathering will enable them participate and their contribution recognized everywhere,” added Kanaiyu.
The executive officer also noted that with the new CBC education curriculum, they are working with the County government to streamline education matters, especially in the ECDE, as there was general misunderstanding on whether the new curriculum starts from ECDE or Grade One.
On the other hand, the county KNUT chairperson noted that the taskforce created by the president will solve all the complaints raised by the teachers and parents.
“We are happy with the taskforce on CBC. We have been receiving a lot of complaints not only from parents but also our staff. We will soon provide amicable solutions on all the contested issues,” said Ngondi.
